People who took part in the gathering at the Freedom Fountain said nothing can be done to save Trayvon Martin, but they can work to help prevent other people from losing their lives to violence.

"I'm sorry what happened to Trayvon. I feel for his family," said organizer Pat Clarke. "But for the families in Kansas City, we need to come together as one family and do this together."

Clarke said it's time to pay attention to what's going on closer to home.

"In Kansas City, we have 58 or 59 murders. If we are going to march or rally or even act up, let's act up about what's going on here," Clarke said.

Many people did march, rallying behind Martin as a way to unite and not divide by race.

"There's no color," said march participant Lorena Jordan. "Because if you look at it, we all bleed the same. We all walk the same."

Rally participants said filing a civil suit won't bring Martin back and it won't help solve the homicide problems in Kansas City. They said the people should use the opportunity to work to improve the quality of life for young people in the urban core.

"We need (better) teachers-to-student ratios and more counselors," said attendee Lorianne Smart. "Many of those children have less of an opportunity."